With heartfelt sadness the children of Ruth Aspen announce the passing of their mother on Nov. 30, 2013, one day short of her 72nd birthday, at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver.
She leaves to mourn her loving husband Larry Aspen, son Wayne Litke (Angela) of Maple Creek, Sask., three daughters: Wendy Nadeau (Leo) of Vernon, Christine Fletcher (Kevin) of Terrace and Carla Litke of Nanaimo. She will be sadly missed by seven grandchildren, and one great grandson, sister Nan Svehla (Wayne), brother Neil Litke (Sylvia), numerous nieces and nephews and extended family members.
Mum was predeceased by her father Sigurd Larum, mother Bernice (Larum) Litke, brother Ralph Larum and sister Joan Hendriks.
She will be fondly remembered for her love of the outdoors and the time she spent with family and friends. She enjoyed hunting and fishing and even managed to trap a nuisance bear using a live animal trap. Mum had a passion for word games such as Scrabble, Boggle and Wheel of Fortune.
Spending time with Dad at their Francois Lake property was always a special time.
Mum passed away suddenly and peacefully due to complications following open heart surgery. A memorial service was held on Dec. 6, 2013, at the Island Gospel Fellowship Church in Burns Lake.
We cannot express enough gratitude to all the family and friends that helped us and our Dad through this difficult time. The outpouring of kindness and support we have received reinforces what we have always believed of our Mum. "To a beautiful life comes a happy end . . . she died as she lived, everyone's friend."
Mum's ashes will be laid to rest at a family celebration of her life in the summer of 2014. Those who wish to, may make a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in Mum's memory.